We visited Carlsbad December 2 thru 8, 1993 and had some observations around Eddy Co. of interest. The weather seemed rather mild and pleasant to us for December and the nighthawk we saw seems to demonstrate that clearly. On our way back to El Paso to fly back to Ohio, we were surprised by a male Phainopepla at the Guadalupe Mountains NP Visitor Center, but that turned out not to be unusual. Other sightings that seemed unusual to Ohio birders may be normal for New Mexico.
Clark's
Grebe--one was close enough at Lake Avalon on 12/6 to
positively identify and was probably the same bird seen farther
away on 12/3.
Red-breasted
Merganser--six on 12/3 and 15 on 12/6 were counted at Lake
Avalon. The information we have read seems to imply this species
should be less expected, but these birds and the other two
merganser species were all present both days and it appears this
species is quite regular in the Carlsbad area.
Merlin--on
12/6 one was seen perched along N. Canal in La Huerta. It was
dark with breast heavily streaked, flanks spotted. Tail was dark
with pale bands. Head was dark with nape concolor with back, thin
supercilium, small dark mark in malar area with dark eye and
relatively small bill. Feet yellow. We had a good scope view from
the side of the road. The bird was harassed by three Blue Jays.
It flew around, then perched in the next row of large trees. Back
and wings had a bluish cast, indicating a male. This observation
was in the morning, facing west in good light. We were delighted
with the observation, but sorry not to have found the pale
prairie race which we have never seen.
Common
Moorhen--we were surprised by one along the Pecos River north
of Loving on 12/5.
Sandhill
Crane--we were pleased to see flocks of 13 flying south of
Rattlesnake Springs on 12/4 and north along the Pecos near Malaga
on 12/5. Possibly they were present a little late.
Common
Nighthawk--Most surprising to us was the presence of one
nighthawk in Carlsbad the nights of 12/2 thru 12/7. We saw the
bird briefly from my father's back yard on 12/2 shortly after our
arrival, and did not quite believe we had really seen it after
only a very brief look. On 12/3 when we again saw the bird, we
went over to the main street where it could be well seen flying
through and above the light of the street lamps. The bird was a
male with white throat and white tail band easily visible. It
could be seen for a long period of time (5:33 to at least 7:00)
on 12/4, but we missed seeing it on 12/6. We notified a local
birder on 12/3 and others not only saw the bird, but were able to
videotape it.
Golden-crowned
Kinglet--a little unusual for the lowlands were two along the
Pecos River north of Loving on 12/5.
Gnatcatcher
sp.--one was working its way through the scrub along the
Black River at Black River Village Road (west of Malaga). It
frequently called giving a harsh BEEEZ call that we took to be
Blue-gray, though slightly different from what we are used to. We
did not immediately consider Black-tailed, but we later listened
to a recording of a single note call of this species that is also
similar. We did not closely look at the bird because we assumed
it was a blue-gray and it was rapidly moving away, but Jean
thought she saw a white under side to the tail. We regret that we
didn't get more on this that was also probably an unusual
sighting.
Mountain
Bluebird--at least three were feeding and drinking at an
irrigation channel at Rattlesnake Springs on 12/4 along with at
least 20 Eastern Bluebirds and 5 Hermit Thrush. (2 Cedar Waxwings
were also present as well as Green-tailed, Spotted and Canyon
Towhees.)
American
Pipit--while apparently normal, we were amazed to find flocks
numbering one hundred or more in the alfalfa stubble around
Malaga on 12/5 while finding few elsewhere. This was comparable
to Killdeer, most numerous in fields north of Loving, which
totalled 119 for the day with only one other seen during our
trip. Horned Lark were quite different, present in more modest
numbers in a wide variety of locations, but without concentration
in the alfalfa fields' stubble.
Sage
Sparrow--two were in scrub near the Harroun Lake bed near
Malaga on 12/5. Though apparently normal in occurance, their
presence in southeastern New Mexico seemed rather far east
compared to their breeding range.
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